Pages

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

I love these carnations that we got from Baker Creek. They are all differently speckled and striped and like little gems among the weeds.

Our first, (and only, so far) pumpkin. So excited for fall...

We have red and yellow onions and although most of them are small, they are determined despite something that has apparently been stomping all over them in the middle of the night.

Watermelon

Here we have the busiest garden bed of them all. Caden's corn has 4 ears and we have already eaten one, and it was delicious. We have the potato grave, which I dug myself and better have a bunch of potatoes down in it.Then there are 2 butternut squash, some pole beans, and the watermelon.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

I cant wait to get out and dig in the dirt. I will be a very happy girl when I dont have to bring plants in and out everyday. We have 80 tomato starts and 22 jalapenos, among others that are itching to spread their roots.

Last year when we got worms for our compost pile, there were 500 and they were about the length of half my pinkie. Most are now regular size worms, but there are a few extra large ones. Its like a treasure hunt when we turn the pile over to see who can find the biggest.

Judah's still sucking his thumb. And Im still letting him. Because it is adorable.

I know its spring when her hair gets curly.

We saw a firetruck.

And had slug races.

Judah's personality is really starting to develop.

Lady is getting big. And I've decided that I like her. In fact, no longer is she "That Dang Dog!" She's quite lovely, as pets go. Except that she has developed a craving for toilet paper that drives me crazy.

* The Council Meeting went well- they agreed to make up an ordinance and vote on it soon. So that is a good thing- they didn't say no!

* Still waiting on our homestudy. I did get the rough draft today but a couple of things were wrong, so when we get that back, we can be eligible for a referral and start applying for grants.

Friday, April 11, 2014

On Monday the 14th, I am going to bring the issue of chicken-keeping before the City Council. Here is the bulk of my proposal...

If you are interested in being allowed to have chickens in town, please come to the meeting to show your support. From what I understand, If there is support for it, and they think its a good idea, then at the next meeting they will move to vote on it.

Local Missouri Ordinances Concerning Urban Chickens:

Kansas City:
up to 15 chickens, enclosure required, no loud roosters, must be kept clean and
sanitary.

Independence:
up to 20 chickens, no foul odors, must be kept clean and sanitary.

Raytown: up to
4 chickens, must be kept 100 feet away from nearest neighbor, no foul odors.

Parkville: up
to 15 chickens

Belton: up to
4 chickens per acre or part of an acre

Lee’s Summit:
up to 6 chickens, no roosters, enclosed at all times, inside henhouse in
non-daylight hours, allows for the slaughter of chickens in enclosed area out
of public view.

Proposal for Urban Chickens in Pleasant Hill:

1. Allow up to 10
chickens (hens only, no roosters)

2. Must be enclosed
at all times

3. Enclosure and
Henhouse/Coop must be kept clean and sanitary.

4. Residents of
multi-family homes/apartments/duplexes/etc would need permission from landlord
and other residents who share the complex.

5.
The city could supply permits for a $5­-$10 annual fee to bring in revenue.

Benefits of Urban Chickens:

1.Keeping backyard
chickens is a natural compliment to a family garden. Chickens eat grasshoppers,
aphids, beetles, and other pests that threaten to destroy a vegetable garden.
Additionally, they supply excellent, natural fertilizer and free soil tillage.

3. Keeping Chickens
teaches children responsibility and allows them to feel pride in caring for the
animals’ needs. Even young children can collect eggs and help clean the
henhouse. Discovering how an egg is laid, and that they are not all uniform in
size and color, then eating those eggs teach children valuable lessons they can’t
learn in a book, movie, or video game. Watching a chicken grow from a day-old
chick to a mature bird provides lessons in the life cycle of animals.

4. Eggs shared with
neighbors bring the community together.

5. Chickens keep
weeds as well as good grass trimmed. Small, attractive, mobile “Chicken
Tractors” allow for the scheduled movement of a small flock to a new piece of
ground every few days. This allows the chickens to graze on new grass and leave
the previous piece mowed and fertilized to grow better grass.

6. Chickens are quieter,
less destructive, and more “neighbor-friendly” than dogs.

7. A properly kept
enclosure/coop with adequate ventilation will have no odor.

8. Keeping chickens
can do a small part to ease a family’s grocery budget- Chickens can provide
eggs most of the year, if not year-round, and can be sold easily.

9. Chickens in the backyard
get children outside for fresh air and exercise.

10. People like to be
responsible- they like to be able to provide for themselves, even if it’s just
being able to get their own eggs. Being able to take care of your needs, even
in the smallest way makes people happier at home and at work.